GCR - Players’ Code of Conduct

PART III

SECTION 1A

APPENDIX 4

PLAYERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT

1. PURPOSES

The purposes of this Code are:

Regulations

1.1 to ensure and maintain an orderly and fair administration and conduct for BWF-sanctioned
tournaments, and to protect the players’ rights and the respective rights of the BWF, sponsors, and
the public;

1.2 to uphold the good name of the BWF and the integrity of the sport of Badminton world-wide.

2. APPLICABILITY

2.1 This Code is applicable to all BWF-sanctioned tournaments and the players participating in them.

2.2 All players, at all times, shall be subject to the Code and the Laws of Badminton. Each player
who is entered or nominated to participate in an BWF-sanctioned tournament shall accept this
Code, the Competition Regulations and the Laws of Badminton and then, in effect, is bound by
them.

2.3 Any player who commits any offence defined in Regulations 3 to 5 shall be deemed to have
breached this Code. Breaches of the Code constitute the basis for disciplinary action against the
player.

3. PLAYER’S COMMITMENT AND ENTRY OFFENCES

3.1 Late withdrawal

Withdrawing from either the qualifying or main draw after publication of the draw without
evidence or proof of “bona fide” injury, illness, bereavement or other emergency situation.

3.2 Playing another tournament

Having entered and been accepted into either the qualifying or main draw of a BWF-sanctioned
tournament and playing in another Badminton tournament during the period of that tournament.

3.3 Playing after declaring non-availability due to injury

Withdrawing from a future tournament due to injury or illness and playing in any Badminton
tournament during the period between the date of notification of injury/illness and the said
tournament from which the player has withdrawn.

3.4 Early departure from tournament

Making travel arrangements which would preclude the player from participation in scheduled
matches or interfere with their commitment to attend dope-tests.

4. PLAYER’S ON-SITE OFFENCES

4.1 Inappropriate conduct

4.1.1 During any match or at any time while within the precincts of the site of an BWF-
sanctioned tournament, not conducting oneself in an honourable and sportsmanlike
manner.

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4.1.2 Before, during and after any match does not comply with the goodwill formalities such
as thanking Technical Officials, shaking hand with opposing players, etc. Players must
thank their opponents and umpire before leaving the field of play to celebrate with their
coach or the crowd.

4.2 Dress violations

4.2.1 Failing to dress and present oneself for play in a suitable smart manner. Clean and
acceptable Badminton sports clothing shall be worn.

4.2.2 Failing to comply with the conditions of entry of each tournament with regard to
clothing and advertising regulations.

Regulations
4.3 Failure to complete a match

Failing to complete a match in progress unless reasonably unable to do so.

4.4 Late arrival for match/no match

4.4.1 Arriving late for a match, resulting in no show.

4.4.2 Withdrawing from any event in a tournament whilst still fit enough to compete on the
same day in another event in that said tournament, i.e. players may not default without
good reason from one event to concentrate their efforts in another during the same
tournament.

4.5 Failure to use best efforts

Not using one’s best efforts to win a match.

4.6 Trying to influence technical officials

Trying to influence the decisions of technical officials by arm, hand, or racket gestures, or orally.

4.7 Seeking coaching

Seeking coaching during play except as permitted under the Laws. Communication of any kind,
audible or visible, between a player and a coach may be construed as coaching.

4.8 Failure to fulfil media obligations

It will be considered a failure to fulfil media obligations if the player does not participate, if
requested by the Media Manager or other tournament official, in the following way:

4.8.1 Failing to attend any pre-tournament media conference organized a day prior to their first
scheduled singles or doubles match or any special themed media conference during the
tournament;

4.8.2 Failure to give on-court interviews for television immediately after a match whether the
match has been won or lost or to follow instruction to effect their signature on camera for
TV (or similar activity post the match);

4.8.3 Unless injured and physically unable to appear, failing to attend any post-match
organized media conference or interview, within 30 minutes of the finish of the match,
regardless whether the player was the winner or loser, providing this does not interfere
with the preparation for the player’s next match. The minimum time commitment is 25
minutes;

4.8.4 Failure to attend, if requested, any television studio interview to promote a tournament
the player is participating in or is due to participate in, or Badminton in general. If the
studio interview is off site of the tournament this should preferably be organised after
their final match of the day or on a non-playing day;

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4.8.5 Failure to give ‘one on one’ television interviews (up to four per tournament). BWF has
the right to decide two of these interviews while others shall be set up in agreement with
the player;

4.8.6 Failure to assist with the promotion of a tournament and the game in general. A player
must be willing to participate on request in at least one appropriate activity of not more
than one hour’s duration (such as autograph-signing, participating in “meet the public”,
question and answer sessions, etc.);

4.8.7 All activities should preferably be arranged after the player has played on the same day,
but where a player only plays matches after 6pm media activities can be arranged before
12 am the same day. Practice is not an excusable reason for non-attendance.
Regulations

4.9 Player’s BWF Sponsor Obligations

All players shall be required, if requested, to participate in:

4.9.1 Hospitality visits, autograph sessions or other similar sponsor related activities up to 2
per tournament of up to 20 minutes duration.

4.9.2 Photograph Opportunities – minimum of 1 photograph opportunity per year. Each such
photograph opportunity shall be jointly agreed upon by the BWF and the player, and will
be organised during a tournament where the player is participating.

4.9.3 Media/sponsor activities for BWF World Superseries Title sponsor – up to 2 activities
per year.

4.10 Violating Ceremony Protocol

When participating in the finals of a tournament, not participating in the final ceremonies directly
after the match or not wearing the style of clothing (e.g. tracksuit, uniform) requested by the
organisers.

4.11 Audible obscenity

Using words commonly known and understood in any language to be profane or indecent and
uttered clearly and loudly enough to be heard by the umpire or spectators.

4.12 Visible obscenity

Making of gestures or signs with the hands and/or racket or shuttle that commonly have an
obscene or offensive meaning.

4.13 Abuse of shuttle

4.13.1 Intentionally hitting a shuttle dangerously or recklessly within or out of the court,
hitting a shuttle with negligent disregard for the consequences, or deliberately damaging
a shuttle.

4.13.2 Deliberately tampering with the shuttle to affect its flight or speed.

4.14 Abuse of racket or equipment

Intentionally and violently destroying or damaging rackets or other equipment, or intentionally

and violently hitting the net, court, umpire’s chair or other fixtures during a match.

4.15 Oral abuse

Making a statement within the precincts of the tournament site, directed at an official, opponent,
spectator or other person that implies dishonesty or is derogatory, insulting or otherwise abusive.

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4.16 Physical abuse

Physically abusing an official, opponent, spectator or other person. Even the unauthorised
touching of such persons may be regarded as physical abuse.

4.17 Unsportsmanlike conduct

Conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport.

5. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

5.1 All players in the BWF World Ranking Top 50 shall be required, if requested, to participate in

Regulations
one day of up to eight hours, or two days of up to four hours each day, of educational activities
during the year. BWF will schedule the educational activities on-site at tournaments where the
player participates.

6. PLAYER’S MAJOR OFFENCES

6.1 Conduct contrary to the integrity of the game

Engaging in conduct contrary to the integrity of the game of Badminton. If a player is convicted
of serious violation of a criminal law of any country, the punishment for which includes possible
imprisonment, that player may be deemed by virtue of such conviction to have engaged in
conduct contrary to the integrity of the game of Badminton. In addition, if a player has at any
time behaved in a manner severely damaging to the reputation of the sport, that player may be
deemed by virtue of such behaviour to have engaged in conduct contrary to the integrity of the
game of Badminton.

6.2 Wagers

Wagering anything of value in connection with an tournament in which one will be, or is,
competing.

6.3 Bribes or other payments

Offering, giving, soliciting, or accepting, or agreeing to offer, give, solicit, or accept, anything of
value to or from any person with the intent to influence any player’s efforts or the result of a
match in any BWF-sanctioned tournament.

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